State revokes, suspends licenses, certifications, registrations of health care providers

OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has revoked or suspended the licenses, certifications, or registrations of the following health care providers in our state. The department has also immediately suspended the credentials of people who have been prohibited from practicing in other states.

The department’s Health Systems Quality Assurance Division works with boards, commissions and advisory committees to set licensing standards for more than 80 health care professions (e.g., dentists, nurses, counselors). Information about disciplinary action taken against medical doctors and physician assistants can be found on the Washington Medical Commission (WMC) website. Questions about WMC disciplinary actions can be sent to media@wmc.wa.gov.

Information about health care providers is on the agency’s website. Click on “Health Care Provider Lookup” under the “Find it Fast” section of the Department of Health website (doh.wa.gov). The site includes information about a health care provider’s license status, the expiration and renewal date of their credential, disciplinary actions and copies of legal documents issued after July 1998. This information is also available by calling 360-236-4700. Consumers who think a health care provider acted unprofessionally are also encouraged to call and report their complaint.

Benton County

In February 2025 the Veterinary Board of Governors suspended the veterinary technician license of Kristina L. Ripplinger (AT00002113) for at least 10 years. From May 2018 to April 2023, Ripplinger embezzled $470,082.47 from her place of work.

Clallam County

In February 2025 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the substance use disorder professional trainee license of Olivia Rose Pua Manion (CO61334272). Prior to petitioning for reinstatement, Manion must comply with the investigation and respond to the letter of cooperation. Manion failed to respond to a letter of cooperation from May 2023 regarding allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a client.

King County

In January 2025 the Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission indefinitely suspended the chiropractor license of Mark Babich (CH00003656). Babich did not comply with the 2023 agreed order by failing to provide a copy of the agreed order with the sexual misconduct notification to each patient. Babich failed to include a description of all sanctions on the sexual misconduct notification. Babich also failed to pass an ethics course program.

In March 2025 the secretary of health and Kristin Michelle Roberts (LH60874856) agreed to conditions that suspend Roberts’ mental health counselor license for at least three years. Prior to petitioning for reinstatement, Roberts must pay a $2,000 fine and pass an ethics course program. Roberts engaged in sexual intercourse with a client during a counseling session in summer 2023. Roberts continued to contact the client after terminating their professional relationship in August 2023.

Kitsap County

In February 2025 the secretary of health and Mitchell Dean Hettinger (MA60868060) agreed to conditions that suspend Hettinger’s massage therapist license for at least five years. Prior to petitioning for reinstatement, Hettinger must pay a $1,000 fine, complete 12 hours of continuing education in professional conduct, and complete two ethics examinations. In July 2023, Hettinger massaged a patient’s breasts and groin without completing training required to perform breast massage. Hettinger also initiated a sexual relationship with the patient.

Snohomish County

In March 2025 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended Kaitlyn Brown’s (NC61396680) certified nursing assistant license. Prior to petitioning for reinstatement, Brown must pay a $250 fine, undergo a complete psycho-sexual evaluation, and enroll in a recovery and monitoring program. In December 2023, Brown administered her personal medication to a client to treat oral pain. During the care of this client, Brown also engaged in sexually explicit conversations with the client, filmed sexually explicit content in the client’s bedroom, consumed alcohol with the client, and slept over at the client’s house on two occasions. Brown has failed to respond to letters of cooperation from December 2023 and January 2024. Brown also failed to respond to a statement of charges from July 2024.

Yakima County

In February 2025 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended Sommer Lee Spencer’s (CM60588177) certified medical assistant license. Spencer did not comply with the 2019 agreed order by failing to check in for random tests, failing to submit urine samples for drug screen testing, testing positive for unauthorized substances, and having excessive absences from her weekly professional peer support group meetings.